BC vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

BC vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or Olin College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Boston College than Olin College ($32,519 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 9.1% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($18,916 vs. $20,810).
• Boston College is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $4,304 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at BC than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $4,304 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Boston College (100% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 31.6% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($56,971 vs. $43,290).

BC vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or Olin College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Olin College and BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 40 points higher than at BC (1490).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at BC (3.86).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

BC vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and Olin College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Boston College's (91%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $4,290 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($14,710 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($152 vs. $196).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.